UNE football building a foundationPatience is a necessity for the Nor'easters in their inaugural football season as they lay the groundwork for the future.

...Before the Nor’easters climbed on their cramped bus for the trek back to Biddeford, a couple players grinned while acknowledging the team had a long way to go on the field, too. This is what everyone signed up for, a chance to be the foundation of what they hope will one day be a powerhouse.

“We’ve been together for like 20 days and are playing these established programs,” said freshman linebacker Jordan Jawdat of Topsham. “But we’re a very young team, and I think the future is really bright, honestly.”

The Nor’easters, who lost their inaugural game, 36-30, to the Curry College JVs on Sept. 3, play nine games this season against JV or prep schools teams. In 2018, the team will make its varsity debut.

...“I kind of like this week as a bye because with our guys coming back from the cruise just before preseason they didn’t get many days off,” said 17th-year MMA head coach Chris McKenney. “It gives everybody a chance to regroup and catch our breath.”

Last week’s bye also allowed the Mariners, 1-8 a year ago, to take stock after their season-opening 59-13 loss at SUNY Maritime on Sept. 2.

MMA, which has boasted one of the more prolific rushing offenses among NCAA Division III programs over the years, managed just 105 yards on the ground and 230 yards of total offense against the Privateers, which jumped out to a 23-0 first-quarter lead.

...“I’ve really enjoyed this group,” he said. “I mean, they’ve worked really hard, a lot of enthusiasm, they’ve really competed against one another, and those are some of the things we wanted to stress going into the season, and I’ve been really, really happy with how they’ve responded.”

Team captain Frank Williams, a senior slotback, says the 2016 season was great, and last year’s seniors were “great guys,” but the camaraderie is on another level this year. Everyone, from the freshmen up to the senior class, is comfortable, and everyone is involved and competing.

“In general, this is definitely one of the more fun preseasons I’ve had here,” Williams said. “We go out, people (are) chirping back and forth, having fun, which is huge; if you want to win, you got to have fun.”

Colby football captain Gomez plays for his late fatherDefensive tackle embodies the 'American Dream.'

... “He’s always had a really big personality. People have always gravitated toward him. He’s a big guy with a big mouth, in a good way,” she said.

As a 5-foot-11, 305-pound interior defensive lineman, Gomez doesn’t impress with gaudy statistics. What Gomez does well is take on two blockers, allowing Colby’s linebackers to run to the football. That said, Gomez can make a play, too. Last season, he was in on 23 tackles, including a sack and a fumble recovery against rival Bowdoin.

“He’s quick, strong and explosive. (Gomez) doesn’t just hold his point,” Colby head coach Jonathan Michaeles said. “He understands he can escape blocks and can get to the football. He gives great effort.”